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18 - 05 Functions of Language

Roman Jakobson outlines the functions of language, identifying key components such as the ADDRESSER, MESSAGE, ADDRESSEE, CONTEXT, CODE, and CONTACT. He describes six primary functions of language: REFERENTIAL, EMOTIVE, CONATIVE, PHATIC, METALINGUAL, and POETIC, each serving different communicative purposes. These functions illustrate how messages convey information, express attitudes, engage recipients, maintain communication, clarify meanings, and create aesthetic effects.

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10 views5 pages

18 - 05 Functions of Language

Roman Jakobson outlines the functions of language, identifying key components such as the ADDRESSER, MESSAGE, ADDRESSEE, CONTEXT, CODE, and CONTACT. He describes six primary functions of language: REFERENTIAL, EMOTIVE, CONATIVE, PHATIC, METALINGUAL, and POETIC, each serving different communicative purposes. These functions illustrate how messages convey information, express attitudes, engage recipients, maintain communication, clarify meanings, and create aesthetic effects.

Uploaded by

María Fernanda Ruiz Moya
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Functions of

Language
Roman Jakobson
The ADDRESSER (speaker, author) sends a MESSAGE (the verbal
act, the signifier) to the ADDRESSEE (the hearer or reader).

To be operative the MESSAGE requires a CONTEXT (a referent,


the signified), either verbal or capable of being verbalized, and a
CODE (shared mode of discourse, shared language) fully or
partially common to the ADDRESSER and the ADDRESSEE, and
finally, a CONTACT, a physical channel and psychological
connection between the ADDRESSER and the ADDRESSEE.
2
Scheme
CONTEXT
MESSAGE
ADDRESSER ADDRESSEE
CONTACT
CODE
3
When the MESSAGE is primarily oriented towards the CONTENT (the main concern of the
MESSAGE is information), the dominant function is REFERENTIAL.

The EMOTIVE function, focused on the ADDRESSER, aims at a direct expression of the
speaker’s attitude.

The CONATIVE function is ADDRESSEE-oriented, and finds its purest expression in the
imperative.

The PHATIC function is set for CONTACT and can occur when the message serves to
establish, prolong, discontinue communication, or to check that the channel works. There’s
a profuse exchange of ritualized formulas - main purpose to prolong communication.

When the ADDRESSER and ADDRESSEE need to check that they use the same CODE, the
METALINGUAL function ensues: asking for the meaning of a word.

The orientation towards the MESSAGE can serve a POETIC function, present in messages
that catch the ADDRESSEE’s attention through an aesthetic impact.
Scheme
REFERENTIAL
POETIC
EMOTIVE CONATIVE
PHATIC
METALINGUAL
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